DOHA: Inter Milan will be looking to get one up on their rivals PSG, when the two sides face each other in a prestige friendly match on the 30^th of December at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium, home of QSL side Al Sadd.

The two European powerhouses last faced each other in a friendly tie last year in Marrakech, Morocco. The match was an entertaining and tight affair and could have been a high scoring tie, had it not been for the heroics of the keepers Nicolas Douchez and Samir Handanović.

Inter will have rued their chances throughout the match, and had a host of opportunities to take an early lead. However PSG rode out the initial onslaught before scoring.

French international midfielder Yohan Cabaye grabbed the goal in the 56^th minute, pouncing on a deflected Gregory van der Wiel cross to give the Les Rouge-et-Bleu the win on the night.

The tie will serve as an important warm up for both teams, as both sides have gone into their winter break top of their respective domestic leagues. PSG have a commanding 19 point lead in Ligue 1. Inter Milan have a slender 1 point lead at the top of Serie A.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi knows that his side cannot stop if the Nerazzurri are to lift their first scudetto title since the 2009/10 season. “We’re all very pleased but we know we can’t let up. We need to keep working harder and harder because soon we’ll get to crunch time in the league and we need to be ready to give our all in every game.”

The Argentine striker, who faced PSG last year will certainly be looking to add to his tally of seven goals this season and will be a key player for his side, especially if they are to grab the moral boosting win against their French rivals.

Whilst head coach Roberto Mancini is relishing the tie against the current French Champions “It’s definitely going to be a great test against PSG. It will be a good training exercise with the right level of competitiveness. It’s also a good opportunity to try a few new things out.”

For PSG, the focus will be similar. They currently have a handsome 19 point lead at the top of the ligue 1 standings. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking forward to the tie and the training camp in Doha. “I’ve been to Qatar a couple of times and it’s a very nice place. I think it will be great to play Inter in Doha. Every time we have visited Qatar we have enjoyed great preparation.”

It promises to be an interesting tie for both sides, which will aid their preparation for the second part of the season when they will both be looking to secure some domestic honours. Tickets are now on sale for the match via www.qfa.qa